By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Mr. Zandile Mafe facing trial over terrorism allegation, following a fire incident that razed South Africa’s Parliament building last year, told the court on Thursday that he “burned it intentionally.”
Shouting and pointing his finger, Zandile Mafe said he was going to “burn it more” if the Parliament was not moved from Cape Town to either the city of Bloemfontein or Pretoria.
Mafe was arrested in an area not far from the Parliament shortly after the fire started.
He was charged with breaking and entering, arson and terrorism, but his case has witnessed a slow progress after a judge ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
The presiding judge during the court sitting on Thursday allowed Mafe to finish his rant, saying he didn’t want to “exacerbate” his “mental condition,” South African media has reported.
Judge Nathan Erasmus then said an expert report indicated that Mafe was not able to understand the wrongfulness of the acts he is accused of, although a final decision on whether there will be a criminal trial was postponed until next month.
Mafe had also challenged the court to give him a sentence of 25 years to life, which is what he could face if his trial goes ahead.
“I’m not afraid of a life sentence,” he shouted.
The fire badly damaged the historic Parliament complex in January last year as it ripped through various buildings, including the main chamber where lawmakers sit.
It hasn’t been fully repaired, with estimates saying it will cost around $120 million and take at least three years.
It also raised criticism of the security procedures put in place at the Parliament whose members were on a break and the buildings were largely empty.
No casualty was recorded.
Mafe has said he is angry at various issues in South Africa.
He has accused the government of failing to help the poor.
